Chinese Yam, Lotus Seed, Chestnut, Black Bean and Mulberry Lean Pork Soup

Why people make this soup

Rheumatoid arthritis is understood in Chinese medicine as a condition where the body’s self-regulation has gone awry — which is why, unlike simple fatigue or cold deficiency, it calls for a particular kind of food therapy: one that nourishes without over-stimulating. Many popular tonics (ginseng and deer antler, eight-treasure soup, and similar rich formulas) are considered counterproductive here because they may further agitate an already reactive immune system. The same caution applies to foods high in hormones, such as intensively farmed poultry, bird’s nest, and snow jelly.

Instead, Nourilo reaches for ingredients that are gentle and sustaining: Chinese yam and lotus seeds to support the spleen; chestnuts and black beans to strengthen the kidney and bones; mulberries to nourish the blood and liver. This combination produces a clear, naturally sweet broth that is genuinely pleasant to drink and suitable for people of almost any age.

Method

1. Rinse and briefly soak the Chinese yam, lotus seeds, and black beans.
2. Blanch the lean pork in boiling water for 2–3 minutes to remove impurities. Rinse and cut into thick slices.
3. Place all ingredients in a pot with 2.4 L of water.
4. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a gentle simmer and cook for 2 hours.
5. Serve warm. Drink the broth and eat the solids — chestnuts, lotus seeds, and Chinese yam are all edible and nourishing.

Nourilo’s Tips

This is a sweet, pleasant soup that the whole family can enjoy. It also benefits growing children (bone and height development) and older adults concerned about bone density. For gout patients, substitute the black beans with red adzuki beans. If southern dates are hard to find outside Hong Kong or mainland China, Nourilo suggests using 3–4 dried figs as a substitute. A note on identifying real southern dates: genuine nan zao have visible skin markings and resist pressing flat; fake horse-tooth dates (ma ya zao) have smoother skin and squish when pressed.